W.S.  Holt 


Beginning  of  Mission  Work 
In  Alaska 


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BEGINNING  OF  MISSION  WORK 
IN  ALASKA 


WILLIAM  SYLVESTER  HOLT,  D.  D. 


REPRINTED  FROM  THE  WASHINGTON  HISTORICAL  QUARTERLY 
VOLUME  XI..  NO.  2  [APRIL.  1920] 


BEGINNING  OF  MISSION  WORK  IN  ALASKA  BY  THE 
PRESBYTERIAN  CHURCH 

It  is  for  the  interest  of  true  history  that  our  Church  should 
be  clear  as  to  the  beginning  of  any  of  its  Mission  enterprises.  Pro- 
moters of  Missions  pass  away.  Early  workers  complete  their  la- 
bor. Private  correspondence  from  which  much  information  could 
be  gained  is  destroyed.  Erroneous  statements  arise,  and  by  and 
by  are  taken  for  the  truth.  Then  when  some  one  wishes  to  write 
history,  unwittingly  the  work  of  some  devoted  laborer  and  triend 
is  overlooked  and  a  part  of  the  truth  is  lost.  We  are  near  the 
sources  of  information  about  Alaska  now.  There  are  men  and 
women  living  who  know  when  our  Church  began  its  work  for 
Alaska  and  how.  My  own  interest  in  the  Mission  work  of  our 
Church  wherever  carried,  has  caused  friends  to  place  at  my  dis- 
posal missionary  correspondence  of  one  of  our  most  honored  min- 
isters on  this  Coast.  I  have  taken  great  pleasure  in  tracing  this 
man's  interest  in  Alaska  through  many  years.  The  Presbyterian 
Church  is  indebted  to  the  late  Rev.  A.  L.  Eindsley,  D.  D.,  pastor 
of  the  First  Presbyterian  Church,  Portland,  Oregon,  for  eighteen 
years,  for  opening  mission  work  in  Alaska. 

Dr.  Eindsley  became  pastor  of  the  First  Church,  Portland,  Ore- 
gon, in  1868.  S'ecretary  Seward  visited  Alaska  in  1869,  after  the 
purchase.  When  he  returned  Dr.  Lindsley  was  in  Victoria,  B.  C. 
Kie  had  an  interview  with  Mr.  Seward  in  which  he  sought  and 
ot^tained  such  information  as  a  man  of  Mr.  Seward's  knowledge 
and  judgment  could  give  concerning  the  general  condition  of  the 
natives  of  Alaska.  Already  the  mind  of  the  minister  saw  in  Alaska 
a  field  for  evangelistic  effort.  From  this  time  until  he  was  taken 
from  earthly  scenes  his  interest  in  that  country  continued,  and  he 
left  no  means  untried  to  introduce  the  Gospel  to  that  part  of  our 
land.  His  hands  were  full  in  his  own  field.  He  was  alert  to  the 
growing  needs  of  the  white  people  on  the  coast.  But  he  could 
always  take  time  to  consult  the  needs  of  the  Indians  of  Oregon, 
Washington,  Idaho  and  Alaska.  His  letters  to  the  Boards  of  Home 
and  Foreign  Missions  and  to  individuals  are  full  of  thought  and 
care  for  the  aborigines  who  learned  to  know  that  he  was  their  true 
friend.  As  concerns  Alaska,  Dr.  Lindsley  used  every  opportunity  to 
complete  his  own  knowledge  of  the  country  and  people,  correspond- 
ing with  or  visiting  those  who  had  been  in  the  country  whether  as 


Government  officials  or  travelers,  and  hoping  for  the  day  when 
work  should  be  begun. 

In  1875,  General  O.  O.  Howard  came  to  Portland  from  Alas- 
ka, all  on  fire  with  zeal  for  Mission  work.  In  a  personal  inter- 
view with  General  Howard  on  March  4th  of  1895,  he  said,  "I  sup- 
pose I  talked  with  Dr.  Lindsley  twenty  times  in  1875  about  open- 
ing Missions  in  Alaska.  I  lived  across  the  street  from  him  and 
Alaska  was  a  frequent  subject  for  conversation." 

As  a  result  of  General  Howard's  interest.  Rev.  E.  P.  Hammond 
and  wife,  who  were  on  this  coast  as  evangelists,  made  a  visit  to 
Fort  Wrangel  and  Sitka  in  1875.  Mr.  Hammond  was  undoubtedly 
the  first  American  minister  to  visit  Alaska  in  the  interest  of  Mis- 
sion work.  He  himself  says  they  had  two  objects  in  view.  1 — To 
preach  the  gospel  for  a  short  time.  2 — To  get  acquainted  with 
the  natives  and  urge  their  need  of  Missionaries. 

Dr.  I^indsley  naturally  in  his  missionary  correspondence  with 
the  Home  and  Foreign  Boards  urged  repeatedly  the  claims  of  the 
Alaskans.  At  the  same  time,  determined  that  something  should  be 
done,  he  began  to  look  for  a  man  to  go  to  the  field.  The  Wesley- 
ans  were  at  work  at  Fort  Simpson  in  British  Columbia  and  were 
meeting  with  success.  Why  should  not  equal  success  follow  efforts 
made  among  our  own  Indians?  A  memorial  to  the  General  As- 
sembly prepared  by  Dr.  Lyindsley  and  authorized  by  the  Synod  in 
1876,  was  sent  forward  to  the  Commissioner.  But  it  was  never 
presented. 

In  May  of  1877,  Mr.  J.  C.  Mallory,  a  member  of  the  Fir^st 
Presbyterian  Church  of  Portland  was  sent  up  to  Alaska  by  Dr. 
Lindsley.  The  object  of  the  trip  was  to  visit  Fort  Wrangel  and 
Sitka  with  a  view  to  Missionary  effort.  Mr.  Mallory  found  at  Foi^^ 
Wrangel  a  Christian  Indian,  who  had  been  trained  by  the  Wesley- 
ans.  He  employed  him  to  carry  on  a  school.  The  rent  of  school 
room  and  salary  of  the  teacher  were  assumed  in  Dr.  Lindsley's 
name. 

In  a  letter  to  the  Home  Board,  bearing  date  of  July  27,  1877, 
Dr.  Lindsley  rehearsed  the  fact  of  Mr.  Mallory's  visit,  his  hearty 
reception  by  whites  and  Indians,  the  employment  of  the  Christian 
Indian  to  teach,  the  projection  of  a  Church  building,  the  promise 
of  money  from  natives  toward  a  building  fund,  the  great  need  of 
books,  the  appointment  of  Mr.  Mallory  to  an  Indian  agency  in 
another  part  of  the  country,  which  his  health  compelled  him  to  ac- 
cept, the  urgent  need  for  a  successor,  without  delay,  and  the  for- 
mal application  for  the  appointment  of  the  Indian  teacher,  Philip 


Simpsian  (or  Mackay,  as  he  was  commonly  called),  at  a  salary  of 
$25  per  month. 

His  correspondence  at  this  time  with  brethren  in  the  Synod, 
Rev.  Dr.  Geary  and  Rev.  H.  \V.  Stratton,  are  burdened  with  the 
Alaskan  work  and  recount  the  steps  above,  as  already  taken. 

A  successor  to  Mr.  J.  C.  Mallory  was  found  here  in  Portland 
in  the  person  of  Mrs.  McFarland,  now  so  well  and  favorably  known 
because  of  her  successful  work  in  the  Alaskan  field.  She  was  a 
member  of  Dr.  Lindsley's  church.  She  was  a  minister's  widow. 
She  was  glad  to  do  missionary  work.  Dr.  L^indsley  wanted  just 
such  a  laborer  and  promptly  became  responsible  for  the  expense 
of  her  going  and  for  her  support.  On  the  30tli  of  July,  Dr.  Lind- 
sley  addressed  the  Home  Board  informing  the  Secretary  of  the 
decision  to  employ  Mrs.  McFarland  and  asked  for  her  an  open 
commission.  The  letter  closes  with  these  words,  "I  have  watched 
Alaska  ever  since  we  owned  it  and  believe  God  is  guiding." 

In  a  letter  to  the  late  Rev.  E.  R.  Geary,  D.  D.,  written  Aug. 
6,  1877,  occurs  this  passage,  "Mrs.  McFarland  is  ready  to  take  hold 
of  the  work.    Already  I  have  advanced  her  $200  of  my  own  funds." 

On  the  18th  of  iVugust,  1877,  Dr.  Lindsley  wrote  to  Dr.  Cow- 
rie, Secretary  of  the  Foreign  Board,  as  follows:  "The  work  in 
Alaska  was  begun  in  the  belief  that  American  Christians  would  sus- 
tain it.  This  grew  out  of  encouragement  given  by  myself  and 
General  Howard  that  we  would  do  something  for  Alaska.  Mr. 
Mallory  took  possession  of  what  was  thus  found  to  his  hand.  He 
hired  Philip  Simpsian,  the  teacher,  for  three  months.  He  made 
me  responsible  for  all  and  I  had  no  desire  to  go  back  on  it.  Nay, 
I  accepted  the  charge  as  the  will  of  God  and  we  could  not  pause. 

"It  seems  to  me  plainly  the  dictates  of  Providence  that  we 
should  take  charge  of  this  Mission.  It  stands  in  my  name  as  I 
have  assumed  its  support.  I  apply  to  you  and  to  the  Board  of 
Home  Missions  to  take  it  ofi"  my  hands." 

A  letter  dated  September  7,  1877,  addressed  to  Drs.  Kendall 
and  Dickson  says,  "My  conferences  with  Dr.  Jackson  and  Mr, 
Mallory  led  me  to  invite  Dr.  Jackson  to  reconnoitre  the  Alaska 
ground,  Mr.  Mallory  having  decided  to  accept  the  agency  of  the 
Colorado  Indians.  This  was  done  in  my  name.  I  have  already 
adavnced  $190  and  am  responsible  for  a  similar  amount  in  addition, 
to  Mrs.  McFarland." 

Dr.  Lindsley's  urgency  for  a  missionary  who  could  preach  the 
Gospel  was  re-inforced  by  his  missionary  teacher,  Mrs.  McFar- 
land.    She  writes  from  r'ort  Wrangel,  September  13,  1877,  "I  am 


very  much  interested  in  my  school  and  am  kept  very  busy.  The 
people  here  are  exceedingly  anxious  for  a  minister  to  come.  I  have 
had  several  chiefs  and  prominent  men  to  see  me  and  all  ask  'how 
many  moons  till  the  white  man  preacher  comes?'  " 

September  28,  1877,  a  letter  vv'as  sent  to  Dr.  Dickson  of  the 
Home  Board,  saying,  "Several  ministers  have  addressed  me  about 
the  Alaska  field.  I  pray  the  Lord  send  us  a  man  for  Wrangel. 
There  is  an  'abundant  entrance.'  "  That  Dr.  Lindsley  also  contin- 
ued his  financial  aid  as  well  as  spiritual  interest  is  shown  in  a  com- 
munication to  Mrs.  McFarland,  dated  October  8,  1877,  forwarding 
her  $100  and  saying,  "I  shall  feel  hurt  if  you  do  not  let  me  know 
what  you  want  which  I  can  supply.  Thank  God  that  you  are  in 
this  work." 

About  this  time  there  is  evidence  that  the  good  Doctor's  re- 
iterated desire  to  have  the  Board  assume  the  work  in  Alaska  was 
soon  to  be  realized.  October  20,  1877,  he  writes  Dr.  Dickson  ac- 
knovvdedging  "$500  for  Mrs.  McFarland  and  Philip  Mackay  and 
will  report  thereon  according  to  directions."  He  continues  "both 
the  Presbytery  of  Oregon  and  Synod  of  the  Columbia  very  heartily 
endorse  the  action  which  I  had  taken  concerning  the  Alaska  mis 
sion."  In  the  letter  from  Dr.  Dickson  above  referred  to  are  found 
these  w^ords,  "We  most  cordially  assume  the  Alaska  work."  This 
is  what  Dr.  Lindsley  had  always  hoped  and  urged.  It  was  at  once 
approval  of  what  he  had  done  and  a  guarantee  of  the  continuance 
of  the  efforts  of  years.  But  some  time  elapsed  before  the  Home 
Board  came  into  control. 

On  November  9,  1877,  he  once  more  writes  the  Home  Board, 
"The  Alaska  Mission  looms  up  again.  The  people  of  Sitka  are 
praying  for  schools  and  ministers.  The  U.  S.  Collector  applies  to 
me  for  teachers.  He  promises  school  room  and  house  rent  and 
pecuniary  aid.  There  are  2500  Indians  in  and  near  Sitka  and  250 
whites  and  half  breeds.  No  church  or  minister  (except  occasional 
services  by  a  Russian  priest)  no  school  or  teacher;  little  or  nothing 
to  distinguish  the  population  from  a  heathen  race.  I  am  now  writ- 
ing to  a  well  qualified  Christian  lady  in  the  hope  that  she  will  go  to 
Sitka  to  teach."  From  this  time  there  is  an  extended  correspon- 
dence with  the  Collector,  with  the  lady  above  referred  to,  who  is 
Mrs.  S.  Hall  Young,  nee  Kellogg,  and  her  friends,  with  Senators 
and  Congressmen,  and  with  the  President  of  the  United  States, — 
in  all  seeking  the  welfare  of  the  Indians,  and  the  guarantee  of  pro- 
tection to  those  who  might  enter  upon  the  field. 

In  November  he  writes  to  the  Home  Board  Secretary,  "The 
need  of  an  ordained  minister  for  Alaska  is  very  great  ....  Poor 


x\laska  stands  pleading  at  the  door  of  our  church;  God  is  offering 
the  glory  of  her  redemption  to  us.  Is  there  no  devoted  and  com- 
petent missionary  to  heed  the  call?" 

December  1,  1877,  replying  to  a  letter  from  Mrs.  McFarland 
he  says,  "You  are  yourself  as  teacher,  an  answer  to  many  prayers. 
Do  not  be  discouraged  at  the  delay  of  missionary  help.  I  some- 
times feel  impatient.  It  rebukes  me  to  reflect  that  the  cause  is  God's 
and  that  I  had  waited  long  before  Mr.  Mallory  appeared,  and  you 
were  released  from  all  other  engagements  that  you  might  under- 
take these  self-denying  labors." 

Early  in  1878  came  the  formal  control  of  the  Home  Board  over 
the  Alaska  field.  Dr.  Lindsley  gladly  yields  up  the  charge  and  Feb^ 
ruary  4th  writes  Mrs.  McFarland,  "Here  is  your  commission  and 

directions.     Henceforth  you  will  report  to  the  Board." In 

the  same  letter  which  bore  Mrs.  McFarland's  commission  to  her 
went  the  cheering  intelligence  that  "Rev.  J.  G.  Brady  has  been  ap- 
pointed missionary  to  Alaska  by  our  Board."  Dr.  Lindsley  learned 
this  from  a  telegram  from  New  Fork,  dated  January  31st,  an- 
nouncing the  commission  of  Mr.  Brady  and  the  appointment  of 
Miss  Fanny  Kellogg  as  a  teacher  for  Sitka. 

Our  sketch  would  hardly  be  complete  without  a  momentary 
reference,  in  closing,  to  Dr.  Lindsley's  subsequent  visit  to  Alaska 
commissioned  by  the  Board  of  Home  Missions  and  the  Presbytery 
of  Oregon  to  organize  the  first  Protestant  church  in  that  territory. 
Drs.  Kendall  and  Jackson,  who  were  then  making  the  Alaska  tour, 
assisted  at  this  service. 

William  Sylvester  Holt. 


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Stockton,  Calif. 


BW4277.2.H75  ,  .    .,     ,     ,u., 

Beginning  of  mission  work  in  Alaska  [oy 


Princeton  Theological  Seminary-Speer  Library 


1    1012  00035  2833 


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